Prescription drug addiction occurs when you take your prescription medication in a way that your prescribing doctor never intended. This includes everything from taking your friend's prescription medication to snorting or injecting ground-up pills. Some prescription medications have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties. This is the primary reason some people abuse them. Unfortunately, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are the most commonly abused substances by Americans, following closely behind marijuana. Commonly Abused Drugs During Prescription Drug Addiction Some of the most commonly used drugs that lead to a prescription drug addiction include: Opioids are prescribed for pain. However, their misuse has become one of the biggest drug problems in the U.S. today. This is because they're one of the most addictive prescription drug classes. The class has brand-name drugs you've probably heard of before. These include Fentanyl, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Oxycodone (OxyContin), and Meperidine (Demerol). Unfortunately, many people who begin abusing opioids find themselves turning to heroin eventually because it's more potent and less expensive. …show more content…
Examples of central nervous system depressants include Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax), Ativan, and Klonopin. Stimulants are commonly prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. This class of drugs includes both amphetamines such as Adderall and methylphenidates such as Concerta and Ritalin. People abuse this class of drugs because they mak them feel alert, decrease their appetite, and give them a sense of euphoria and